Ryan Ward is desperate to escape her soul-sucking life. Between catering to the work demands of her ambitious father, a popular Washington senator, and extricating herself from her abusive ex-boyfriend, Ryan yearns for the life of which she once dreamed: that of a country singer/songwriter. But how does one of Washington’s elite shed the slimy skin of politics for cowboy boots and a Taylor six-string? And can she do it incognito? Slade McCall traded money for passion when he left his high six-figure income for a Texas ranch to indulge in his love of the land and, more importantly, his autistic young daughter. With an intractable ex-wife and ranch demands beating him down, the last thing Slade needs in his life is a troubled woman with a fading black eye, the voice of an angel, and a dubious past. But when need outweighs common sense, he hires the would-be country singer for a short stint of housework at the ranch. Ryan and Slade know tangling their hearts is a bad idea—she has a past to escape and a dream to pursue, and he has a ranch to build and a daughter to protect. But they can’t deny their desires or their hearts, and as their love strengthens it is put to the test. Someone is intent on physical harm, and Slade’s ex is determined to reconcile. Will the pressures destroy what Ryan and Slade have started to build? Or will they follow the sounds of their Heartstrings . . .